Babangida picks Odili as running mate
Former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, is in advanced talks
with Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State, as he closes in on a running
mate for the 2011 presidential elections.
A source within Mr. Babangida’s camp said that the choice of Mr.
Odili was strongly influenced by Raymond Dokpesi, chairman of DAAR
Communications, and director general of Mr. Babangida’s presidential campaign.
The two men have a history of mutually beneficial dealings. Mr. Dokpesi was the
director general of Mr. Odili’s campaign when he ran for president in 2007. At
the time, Mr. Odili was alleged to have invested N400 million of funds taken
from the Rivers State treasury, into Mr. Dokpesi’s company.
The EFCC, under Farida Waziri, quizzed Mr. Dokpesi over the
money, but no charges were ever filed. According to the source, “Odilli will be
groomed as the person that will succeed General Babangida, come 2015.”
A controversial choice
Mr. Babangida, who is at the centre of several allegations, will
be picking an equally controversial character if he settles on Mr. Odili as a
running mate. Mr. Odili was elected governor of Rivers State in 1999 and was
re-elected in 2003. His tenure was marred by human rights violations,
insecurity, and widespread accusations of fraud.
During his governorship, Rivers State was, in theory, one of the
wealthiest states in the country owing to its enormous oil revenue, but Mr.
Odili instituted relatively few improvements. Instead, the former governor is
on record for acquiring a South Africa-based hospital, and two Brazilian jets.
In November 2006, Peter Odili announced that he would run for
president in the 2007 election under the ruling PDP. However, a day before the
PDP’s presidential primaries, Mr. Odili stepped down from the contest, paving
the way for fellow governor, Umaru Yar’Adua, to emerge as the party’s flag
bearer.
Reports say Mr. Odili was forced out of that contest when the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led by Nuhu Ribadu, released a report
implicating him in fraud, mismanagement of state funds, money laundering, and
abuse of office.
In February that year, Mr. Odili filed a suit challenging the
powers of the EFCC to probe his administration. The court granted him an
indefinite injunction stopping any investigations into his finances, describing
it as a breach of his civil rights.
The declaration
It was expected that Mr. Odili would be unveiled at a rally for
the official declaration of Mr. Babangida’s intention on Wednesday in Abuja.
However, a text sent out by the National Publicity Secretary of
the PDP. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali. inviting all party executives to an emergency
meeting on that same day , is raising eyebrows.
The coincidence in the timing is leading to speculation that this may be an
attempt to steal the thunder from Mr. Babangida’s declaration. As of the time
of going to press , we were unable to contact Mr. Babangida to find out if he
intends to change his plans. . Text messages to Mr. Alkali seeking clarity on
the matter, remained unanswered
I think of all the presidential aspirants for the 2011 elections, only Mr. Babangida has the vision to deliver Nigeria from the Vision 2000 he started we never saw us anywhere. What did he do with Vision 2000 with all his promises; was the vision blurred and now he can see clearly. Where is his Housing for all by the year 2000; Education for all by the year 2000; Water for all by the year; Health for all by the year 2000 etc. Do you think we have forgotten all your political antics and “militocratic” manipulations. All these ended as mere slogans in spite of the huge monies spent on these visionless projects. Mr. Babangida, I think my advice to you is to step down now for a younger Nigeria to drive vision, afterall what are you looking for at the age of 70years when you should be enjoying your ill-gotten wealth which you acquired at the expense of the progress and development of the country. You are a spent force and a political liability not asset to this country.